What’s the secret ingredient in the miraculous Lourdes water?

It’s actually something we could all have, and something we are called to share …

In a crucial scene in DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda, Mr.
Ping (who raised Po) tells Po that the secret ingredient in his famous
Noodle Soup is … nothing! Po can’t believe what he is hearing, but Mr.
Ping tells him, “In order to make something special, you just have to
BELIEVE that it is special!” This revelation finally helps Po overcome
his self-doubt and defeat his nemesis.

Millions of pilgrims and those seeking healing have taken a dip in
the spring waters at Lourdes over the years. This spring was uncovered
by St. Bernadette at the command of Our Lady, who asked her to drink the
water and wash in it.

On many occasions, the spring waters have been studied by scientists
to uncover any particular properties or elements that may be giving the
water its healing power. A few businessmen have also tried to do the
same with hopes of turning Lourdes into a popular spa destination.

But the water has never been found to contain anything special or extra. It’s just pure and potable water.

The secret ingredient in this case, is not “nothing,” as science
would say, but “Faith.” Faith is the secret ingredient. As St.
Bernadette is said to have remarked, “One must have faith and pray; the
water will have no virtue without faith.”

Belief is the secret ingredient that every Christian carries in his/her heart. To a secular world that refuses to believe what cannot be seen or measured through the prism of scientific measurement, religion is just a superstitious practice of the ignorant. But that’s because they do not have the secret ingredient. They have eyes, but do not see.

Our
Lady urges each one of us, her children, to carry this secret
ingredient to others – family, colleagues, neighbors, community members,
those of other faiths, and those who do not believe in God’s existence.
We must reveal the secret ingredient to others through the manner of
our lives and the sharing of the Good News, so that all can defeat the
nemesis of sin and temptation in their lives and obtain the heavenly
glory that Our Savior has won for each one of us.

Lourdes has had a special place in the hearts of several popes over
the past 161 years. Pope John Paul II made three pilgrimages to Lourdes.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was born on the feast day of St. Bernadette,
April 16, 1927. It was also on February 11, 2013, that he made the
announcement that he was stepping down from the papacy.

Our Lady of Lourdes is intimately connected to the healing of souls,
both physical and spiritual. It on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes
that we celebrate World Day of the Sick, declared such by Pope St. John
Paul II.

In his message for the World Day of the Sick this year, Pope Francis
urges us to develop a social practice of solidarity aimed at the common
good. There is growing social dynamic of different groups – based on
religious, ethnic, caste, linguistic or professional lines – demanding a
special status or reservation for themselves in society and economy.
Political leaders dangle the quota carrot in front of people for
political expediency. This serves to draw lines and divide people in our
society. An us vs. them mentality is taking root.

Pope Francis says that we should see ourselves as members of one
human family, children of the One Sovereign Lord, and that we should
acknowledge our dependence and reliance on others irrespective of how
society labels’ them. If we look at our own lives, we realize that we
study, play, live, work, socialize and pray with people of all faiths
and backgrounds. Jesus died for everyone; there is no Jew or Gentile in
the Christian era. Our Lady at Lourdes also attracts people from all
walks of life, Catholic and non-Catholic. Her message of repentance and
Christic salvation is universal, meant for all her children.

St. Paul asks: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor
4:7) This is precisely why, “We must give without payment, because we
have received without payment.” (Mt 10:8) This is the theme of this
year’s World Day of the Sick. Our care of the sick and reaching out to
the stranger in need, are the most credible means of evangelization. Our
Lady of Lourdes urges us to make a “Gift” of ourselves to others as a
sign of solidarity with our brothers and sisters. I wish you all a Happy
Feast!